Bishop of Jarrow highlights plight of homeless in Christmas message

The Bishop of Jarrow The Right Revenend Mark Bryant. Picture by FRANK REID

Published:11:00Wednesday 24 December 2014

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THE Bishop of Jarrow has used his Christmas message to highlight the issue of homelessness.

The Right Reverend Mark Bryant wants people to be aware of the number of people who are classed as homeless, but might not necessarily be sleeping rough.

Embargoed to 0001 Tuesday December 23''File photo dated 09/12/14 of a homeless man begging, as half of all homeless people first take to the streets under the age of 21, with most suffering the experience more than once because of lack of help, according to a new report. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday December 23, 2014. A study of 480 single homeless people for Crisis found that a third were under 18 when they first became homeless. Two thirds of those who became homeless under the age of 16 go on to face the same problem five or more times, the research found. See PA story SOCIAL Homeless. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Last month the South Tyneside Council carried out a Government requested “rough sleeper’s count” and found only one person to be sleeping on the street in the borough.

However, figures released by the South Tyneside Churches Key Project show that between January 2014 and June, 150 young people presented themselves to the charity as homeless.

The Bishop uses the Christmas story to show how Mary and Joseph would, in today’s age, be classed as homeless.

He said: “Mary and Joseph were not sleeping rough but they were homeless.

“Jesus was born in a stable because there was no room in the inn. That’s how the story goes. Anybody who has ever been to a school nativity knows it. One of the things I have learned over the past year is that you can be homeless without sleeping rough.

“You may be in rented accommodation. You may be in a B&B. But you are still homeless.”

Key Project chief officer Jean Burnside, says there are a large number of reasons why people find themselves without a home.

She said: “There is no doubt that homelessness among young people is increasing.

“There are a number of reasons for this: shortage of suitable accommodation for young people, the impact of welfare reforms, particularly the so-called ‘bedroom tax,’ the increase in benefits sanctions and a harsher regime.”

“Debt is another major factor, which impacts on people becoming homeless, and relationship breakdown is still the most common reason for young people having no home.”

The Bishop says he is also hoping people will now learn to understand each other more.